The appointment was made by Public Works Director John Patterson, who knew Godfrey while working for his younger brother, Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey.

And it comes just weeks after county officials voted to tighten nepotism rules.

Patterson, however, denies any impropriety, explaining he knew Jason Godfrey from "playing Ultimate Frisbee with him" and insisting the 37-year-old deserves the job.

"Jason has taken some pretty bold steps with my approval," he added. "No one has said anything negative. His interpersonal skills are strong, he treats people well and he's professional."

But prior to his dismissal as fleet director, Nick Morgan sang another tune. Morgan said Godfrey, who was hired temporarily by Patterson to examine irregularities in Morgan's division, acted like a "tyrant." He was rude and manipulative, according to Morgan.

Morgan was placed on administrative leave last month for falsified travel records and improper use of county resources and has since been fired. He is still deciding whether to appeal the case to the Career Services Council.

Meanwhile, the fleet division was recently plucked from the purview of public works and placed under a soon-to-be-organized Administrative Services Department. Morgan has insisted Patterson had handpicked Godfrey to eventually run the fleet division, but the shift in departments now prevents that move. Patterson said the search is still on for a new fleet director.

Godfrey, who ran an auto repair shop in Ogden for the past three years, has an MBA with an emphasis in public administration from Rice University. He said five years spent recently in Singapore doing planning, procurement and product management for the data storage company Iomega have prepared him for the job.

"This is pretty comfortable, frankly," Godfrey said. "My primary contribution has been in cost management, cost analysis and determining whether we're giving the most savings to taxpayers. That will be my continued focus."

His memory of how well he knew his new boss in Ogden differs from Patterson's recollection.

"We met at different events, I knew him beyond just my acquaintance," said Godfrey. "He talked to my brother at various times about me."

Still, Patterson maintains his two years as public services director for the Ogden mayor was not a factor in the hire.

The County Council is expected to make the appointment official during its meeting this afternoon.